Classes + Excursions

Today marks a full week that I have been in Angers, France although it seems like a month. I flew into Paris De Gaulle and took a train from there to Angers. I have been living in a foyer called Foyer Ormieres. It has been going well. I have my own room with a sink. The showers and bathroom are shared with the whole floor. The foyer provides dinner and breakfast. Weeknights I eat dinner with the girls that live in the foyer, which is great because I can practice my French with them. All in all I think that the foyer was the best decision for me because while I like my privacy I also like the fact that I can socialize with my foyer mates if I want.

The city of Angers is magnificent. It’s a small city with some hidden treasures. Last weekend some of my friends and I went to the Chateau d’Angers. We were able to see the whole city from the top of the chateau walls. We also went to the Musee de Beaux Arts and the gallery of David d’Angers. There were beautiful paintings and sculptures. Hopefully over the next few weeks I will be able to explore cities outside Angers.

I started classes not to long ago. I am taking phonetics, language, oral comprehension, and France au quotidian. They are going well! The program is called CIDEF at the l’Universite de Catholique l’Ouest. The professors and directors are all very helpful. Not only does the program have great classes but also it organizes cultural activities and excursions. For example, over the course of the semester I will be going on five different excursion trips around northwestern France. Plus three different activities around town that include: wine and cheese tasting, a distillery tour, and a chocolate tasting.

After experiencing life abroad in a foreign country, I have to say that I think taking classes is just as important as exploring culture. So my motto is to embrace every opportunity and leave nothing unseen.